







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
| It's difficult to find all the items manually on the self-checkout. | |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | |
| Does anyone else need anything? | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | |
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | |
| It's £135 per week! | |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
| I'm really sorry about that! | |
| I mean, you look too young to be a teacher. | |
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | |
| How is it my fault? | |
| I was just joking, how are you? | |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | |